Isaiah Is Called "The Book of Salvation."
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The Book of Isaiah Introduction: Isaiah is called "The Book of Salvation." The name Isaiah means "Yahweh is salvation" or “Yahweh is the source of salvation.” Isaiah, who is called the Prince of Prophets, shines above all the other writers and prophets of Scripture. His mastery of the language, his rich and vast vocabulary, and his poetic skill have earned him the title, "Shakespeare of the Bible." He was educated, distinguished, and privileged, yet remained a deeply spiritual man. He was committed to obedience over the long haul of his 55-60 year ministry as a prophet of God. He was a true patriot who loved his country and his people. Strong tradition suggests that he died a martyr’s death under the reign of King Manasseh by being placed within the hollow of a tree trunk and sawed in two. He was a contemporary of Amos, Hosea and Micah. As might be expected, salvation is the overarching theme in the book of Isaiah. Other themes include judgment, holiness, punishment, captivity, the fall of the nation, comfort, hope and salvation through the coming Messiah. The first 39 books of Isaiah contain very strong messages of judgment against Judah and a call to repentance and holiness. The people exhibited an outward form of godliness, but their hearts had become corrupted. God warned them through Isaiah, to come clean and purify themselves, but they ignored his message. Isaiah predicted the demise and captivity of Judah, yet comforted them with this hope: God has promised to provide a Redeemer. The last 27 chapters contain God's message of forgiveness, consolation and hope, as God speaks through Isaiah, revealing his plan of blessing and salvation through the coming Messiah. Isaiah's calling as a prophet was primarily to the nation of Judah (the southern kingdom) and to Jerusalem, urging the people to repent from their sins and return to God. He also foretold the coming of the Messiah and the salvation of the Lord. Many of his prophesies predicted events that occurred in Isaiah's near future, yet at the same time they foretold the events of the distant future (such as the coming of the Messiah), and even some events still to come in the last days (such as the second coming of Christ). Isaiah was witness to one of the most turbulent periods in Jerusalem's history, from both the political and the religious standpoint. He was the son of Amoz, who according to tradition was a brother of King Amaziah. His status enabled him to take an active part in events, and in some cases to guide them. His relations with the senior members of the royal house, as described in the Bible, and the fact that he had free access to the palace, together with the complex linguistic style of his prophecies, suggest that he belonged to the Jerusalem aristocracy. This, though, did not prevent him from being an outspoken mouthpiece of the common people, who were being victimized by the rampant corruption of the ruling class. He involved himself in the politics of the day so that God’s Word came to bear on the actions of the leaders seeking to move and shape the times. Isaiah was married and had children, two of which are named in the book; Shear-jashub (meaning “a remnant shall return”…see the promise of 6:13) and Maher-shalal-hash-baz (meaning “the spoil speeds, the prey hastens” see Isaiah 8:4 for an explanation of this name.) In summary, the message of Isaiah is that salvation comes from God—not man. God alone is Savior, Ruler and King. This is why many have called this book the 5th Gospel. 1 Bible Study The Book of Isaiah September 12, 2012 A. Prayer B. Introduction 1. Many have called the book of Isaiah the 5th Gospel. It has historically been classified as THE book of salvation since Isaiah means “Yahweh is salvation” or perhaps better “Yahweh is the source of salvation.” The messianic concepts captured in this book are seen from the beginning and run through to the end. The house of David, Judah, Yahweh’s messianic agent, and the people it ruled were to look to their Lord…and to Him alone…to supply all their needs. He was their security and keeper and He would supply the leader who would be their Redeemer and Peace. It has often been said that Isaiah is hard to follow and understand and this is true for the most part. However, with a working knowledge of the rest of Scripture, specifically the books that come before Isaiah and the New Testament understanding the prophet becomes easier. I am not saying easy…but easier. Context is everything. 2. Isaiah was the son of Amoz, who according to tradition was a brother of King Amaziah (approx. 795-770 BC). Isaiah was probably born during this reign and he received his call as a prophet the last year of King Uzziah’s life (Amaziah’s son). His status enabled him to take an active part in events, and in some cases to guide them. Isaiah was married and had children, two of which are named in the book; Shear-jashub (meaning “a remnant shall return”…see the promise of 6:13) and Maher-shalal-hash-baz (meaning “the spoil speeds, the prey hastens” see Isaiah 8:4 for an explanation of this name.) Strong tradition suggests that he died a martyr’s death under the reign of King Manasseh by being placed within the hollow of a tree trunk and sawed in two. So he prophesied during the reigns of 5 kings of Judah. Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, Hezekiah, and Manasseh. Either his prophesying or the fact that he was a member of a rival royal family is what ended his life…probably the latter for it was customary to annihilate the former family when a "coup d’état" transpired. He was a contemporary of Amos, Hosea and Micah. C. Isaiah 1 1. Who was Judah in the grand scheme of redemptive history? 2. Verse one covers the introduction for the entire book. Just so we are clear the word “vision” (hazon in the Hebrew- a derivative of hazah means “to see” and often means “to see by revelation”) does not refer to any inward sight from the prophet himself, but rather it means here, as it does in other parts of the OT, the “sight” that God placed in Isaiah’s mind or what God had revealed to him to pass on to others. 3. What is God doing in verse 2? 4. What is meant by the word “children/sons” in verse 2? 2 5. With this picture in mind then, how damning is the last part of verse 2 through verse 4? 6. What consequence does the nation suffer because of their disobedience? 7. What do we learn about the peoples’ religious life from Isaiah 1:11? But these are His people. How does that work? 8. What is the Lord’s response to the acts of worship that are being presented to Him by His disobedient people in verses 12-14? 9. What counsel, what promise and what warning does the Lord give to these people in verses 16-20? Why would God do such a thing? Since nowhere does God and His word speak of salvation by works, what is it He is saying in verse 19? 10. God’s question is interesting in verse 21. How is it possible that a faithful city…people…could become what she is now, a harlot? How can one who has been given so much turn away from such blessing? 11. Verse 24 -31 are wonderful verses. 12. What is the judgment spoken about? 13. What is seen as positive? How does it come about? 14. How does this chapter speak to us today, almost 5000 years since it was first given to God’s people? 3 Bible Study The Book of Isaiah September 26, 2012 A. Prayer B. Review 1. What is the main theme of the book of Isaiah? 2. What were one or two things that struck you about the first chapter? C. Isaiah 2 1. A few word notes for understanding Isaiah. “Latter Days or Last Days” are always used by Isaiah to depict a new period of time in the future…usually the far future...but not always. The next stage of redemptive history if you will, with events impacting on a world scale…usually referring to the time when the Messianic salvation will actually occur. But this can also refer to big events that unfold over time…the next reigns of kings, the restoration after the Exile, Christ’s first coming, Pentecost, Christ’s Second coming as redemptive history winds its way toward the end. Also, “mountain” is most often used to refer to the Lord’s Kingdom and it can also talk about the Lord’s temple… in this case…His kingdom will be established above all other kingdoms. Also, note in the English the word for “The Word” at the opening of this chapter is “davar” a synonym of “hazon” (the word we defined as vision last time). “The word that Isaiah…saw…” can be a strange expression until we consider that Isaiah “sees” the words that God has given to him…God’s revelation of His inspired Word to see and to speak to His people. Why do I make a big deal about these words? 2. In the midst of impending discipline and judgment against God’s own people what is it specifically that we find here in this chapter and more specifically in verses 1-5? 3.